Natural gas becomes liquid, or liquefied natural gas (LNG), when it is cooled to minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit. LNG occupies only one six-hundredth of its gaseous volume and can be transported at low cost by special ocean going tankers.

Natural gas frequently contains contaminants at levels that require removal before it can be liquefied.

The Honeywell/Petronas partnership will focus on developing lightweight, small-scale advanced carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption technology that removes contaminants from natural gas before it is liquefied, which is considered to be critical for siting facilities aboard vessels.

Natural gas consumption is predicted to reach 160 trillion cubic feet annually by 2035. More than one third of that demand growth is predicted to take place in Asia, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

"The joint program with PETRONAS is another example of how UOP is committed to developing gas processing innovations to meet the growing global demand for natural gas, especially in Southeast Asia," said Rebecca Liebert, Vice President and General Manager at Honeywell UOP, in a press release.

The first step will be demonstrating proof-of-concept with a land-based pilot plant.